Higher Taxes, Ozempic Limits & 50 Years of Terrible Towels
Your taxes could be going up. City Council and Pittsburgh Public Schools both officially proposed increases for next year. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo explain how we got here and how much extra you might be paying if the tax hikes do, in fact, get approved. Plus, they discuss a new direct flight to one of Pittsburgh's favorite places, new state restrictions on GLP-1 drugs, the Terrible Towel's big milestone birthday, and your final opportunity to snag an exclusive City Cast Pittsburgh beanie.
Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm
Request a song for our holiday show! Call or text the HOLIDAY HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- Our Ultimate Pittsburgh Gift Guide [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: 'Sloppy' City Budget, Zombie Studies & Giant Eagle vs. Everybody [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Same budget, different universes: Pittsburgh council, mayor diverge on 2026 spending plan [TribLive]
- Pittsburgh City Council grapples with competing narratives surrounding budget [P-G]
- Sharply contrasting views of Pittsburgh budget emerge ahead of looming votes [WESA]
- Property Record Search [Allegheny County]
- PODCAST: Can Pittsburgh Afford the NFL Draft? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: Are Pittsburgh Schools Closing Or Not?! [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Without closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools projects $6M deficit with 4% tax hike [TribLive]
- Pa. cyber charter reforms give PPS budget unexpected 'wiggle room' amid last-minute revisions [WESA]
- Pennsylvania restricts weight-loss drugs for Medicaid patients amid budget woes [Spotlight PA]
- Pittsburgh-area ICE arrests through mid-October more than triple last year’s level [Public Source]
- PODCAST: What Actually Happens During an ICE Raid? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: Lo que realmente ocurre durante una redada de ICE [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait [NPR]
- Former Gov. Wolf, Pa. Democrats slam deadname of Rachel Levine portrait [Go Erie]
- The Terrible Towel Turns 50 [Pittsburgh Magazine]
- Pittsburgh lands direct flights to Dublin [Axios Pittsburgh]
Learn more about the sponsors of this December 12th episode:
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Lion McBaby Face, Catena’s Defeat & Inclusionary Zoning Returns
A new iteration of Pittsburgh’s contentious inclusionary zoning policy is headed back to the City Planning Commission. City Cast’s Megan...
Who Wins Summer in the USA? Pittsburgh Makes Its Case
City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris,...
Sara Innamorato on Paid Leave, Term Limits, and a Fancy New Hotel
Allegheny County could become the first in the U.S. to require 18 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees. County Executive Sara I...
What's On Your Primary Ballot?
It's primary election day! Local voters are being asked to weigh in on one ballot measure: If Pittsburgh loses its print newspapers, shou...
Pittsburgh's Dangerous Drop in Vaccination Rates
Measles is on the rise across the U.S., and experts say outbreaks aren't hypothetical anymore. At least 40,000 PA students are missing re...
'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Would Pittsburgh be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more...
Tattoo Regulations, Steelers in Paris & Debating the Essence of Sheetz
Allegheny County Council is taking steps to oust Pat Catena as the group's president, after his campaign sent out a mailer claiming his o...
Can Pittsburgh Fix Its Budget Problems?
City Controller Rachael Heisler has been sounding the alarm on Pittsburgh's budget for actual years, and her latest report shows the city...
Mid-Century Sleepover, Tiki Cruise & More Pittsburgh Milestone Birthday Ideas
Got a big birthday coming up? Sure, you could make a fancy dinner reservation, but there are so many more exciting ways to celebrate. The...
What To Eat (and Avoid) at PNC Park
Let's be honest, the Pirates aren't always the main draw at PNC Park. Many of us go for the views, the pierogi race, and inventive ballpa...